Telephonic recording apparatus



Sept. 3, 1929. J. E. ARMSTRONG I 1,727;155

TELEPHONI C RECORDING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1928 fl gs. h,

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James E. fl msiron ATTORNEY Sept. 3, 1929. J. E. ARMSTRONG 1,727,155

TELEPHONIC RECORDING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

James E. flrmstrmzz ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

JAMES E. ARMSTRONG, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

TELEPHOITIG RECORDING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 25,

This invention relates to automatic telephone systems and has special reference to a call recording device for use in connection with such systems.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved and novel mechanism for use in connection with a subscribers station and which, whenever a call comes in will automatically record the number of the station calling, the recording apparatus being capable of being thrown into or out of service at the will of the subscriber.

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved circuit arrangement for such a system.

A third important object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of circuits and mechanisms whereby the operation of the calling station in ringing the called station will effect primary operation of the recording apparatus so that the same is brought into service. i A fourth important object of the invention is to provide improved means, in such a device, for restoring the parts to normal positions after the operation is effected.

WVith the-above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

Figures '1 and 1 are half views of the left and right halves of the apparatus respectively, the device being shown partly in elevation and partly diagrammatic, all parts not directly connected with the invention being omitted. h

In the drawing herein set forth the working parts of the device are shown, it being understood that the various parts will be suitably supported in a proper casing but, for the purposes of clear understanding of the invention, such supports and the casing being omitted as superfluous for such undcrstanding.

Suitablysupported is a platen roll 10 around which extends the paper web 11 on which the number is to be recorded. The web is held on the platen roll by the usual presser rolls 12. Pivoted to a frame part 13 adjacent the roll 10 is an arm 14 having an arouate extension 15 wherein are slidably mounted ten type bars 16 so arranged that as the 1928. Serial No. 287,930.

arm 14 is swung 011 its pivot the type ends of these bars pass closely bythe platen roll in succession. These bars bear the numbers 1 to 9 and the character 0 consecutively beginning at the top. The bars are carried in the arcuate segment so as to move radially of the are in the manner of the well known adding machine segments it not being deemed necessary here to show the exact construction of these parts. Also it will be noted that the inking device for the type bars is omitted since such devices are well known and form no part of the particular invention herein involved. Slidable through bearings 17 is a ratchet bar 18 provided with ten teeth 19. This ratchet bar is connected by a link 20 with an arm 21 integral With the arm 14 these two arms forming a bell crank lever. Pivoted to a frame member 22 is a pawl lever 23 which extends up from the frame member and has pivoted on its upper end a pawl 24 which is normally urged into engagement with one side of the ratchet member by a spring 25. Extending from this pawl is a release arm 26 engageable with a fixed stop 27. A spring '28 connects the arm of 23 with a fixed frame member 29 and draws that arm forwardly to cause the trip arm 26 to engage the stop 27 so that the pawl 24 normally is free from the rack bar. At 30 is a solenoid having a core 31 which is connected by a link 32 with the arm 23 so that each time the solenoid is energized the arm 23 will be oscillated to cause engagement of the pawl 24 with one of the teeth 19 to draw the ratchet bar to the left and thus raise the type segment. Pivoted to a fixed frame member 33 is a latching pawl 34 which normally engages the teeth 19 on the opposite side of the ratchet bar, being yieldably held in such engagement by a spring 35. By this arrangement each time the solenoid 30 is energized the ratchet bar will move one step to the left and thus the tvpe segment will be raised one tooth. At '36 is a second solenoid having a core 37 which is connected bv a link 38 with the short arm of a hammer lever 39 pivoted intermediate its ends to a fixed frame member 40. This hammer lever has a striking head 41 and is so positioned that as it is swung by the action of the solenoid 36 it will strike the type bar which has been positioned .by the action of the solenoid 30 and drive it against the web 11 thus making an imprint. A spring 42 connected to the link 38 and to a fixed frame member 43 normally keeps the hammer thrown back away from the segment. Pivoted to a fixed frame member 44 is a bell crank lever having an arm 45 connected by a link 46 with the link 38. The other arm 47 of this lever carries a pawl 48 which is held in engagement with a ratchet 49 on the platen 10 by a spring 50. By this means each time the solenoid 36 is actuated the platen is rotated one space and it is to be observed that the arrangement is such that the rotation of the platen occurs as the hammer 41 moves away from the type bar. Pivoted to a fixed frame member 51 is a cam faced trip 52 Which normally rests fiat on the latching pawl 34 but which, when rotated, actuates that latching pawl to free it from the teeth 19. Pivoted on the link 38 is a bell crank trip lever 53 yieldably held in normal position by the spring 54. The purpose of this lever is to actuate the cam faced trip 52 and in operation the energization of the solenoid carries the lever 53 back over the trip 52 without moving the trip since that trip normally rests against a fixed stop 55. However, when the solenoid is de-energized and the link drawn forward by the spring 42 the lever 53 rocks the trip 52 and frees the latching pawl from the latch bar.

Thus the solenoid 30 effects positioning of the type bar in the proper place while the solenoid 36 effects imprint of the type and on its release tripping of the ratchet bar and rotating of the platen. Supported in suitable bearings (not shown) is a screw 56 which isCOnnected by proper reduction gearing 57 with a motor 58. At one side of this screw is positioned a half nut 59 which is carried on a bar 60 mounted in bearings-61 and 62 these hearings being so supported by any suitable means that they permit the nut to move into and out of contact with the screw. The bearing 61 has its position controlled by the core 63 of a solenoid 64, the nut in thiscase being normally held out of contact with the screw by a spring 65. At the other side of the screw is a second half nut 66 similarly supported in bearings 67 and 68 which latter is controlled by the core 69 of a solenoid 70..

Spring drums 71 are connected by tension members'or cables 7 2 with the respective half nuts so that when a nut is released from the screw it will be drawn to the left to its normal position. The spring 73 is used to hold the nut 66 normally in engagement with the screw. Each of these half nuts has an arm 74 projectingtherefrom and the arm 74 0f the nut 59 engages, upon movement of the nut to the right,-the mo'yable contact 75 of a cir cuit closer and forces this contact into engage ment with a fixed contact 76 of this circuit closer. Similarly, the arm 74015 the nut 66 engages the movable contact 77 of a second circuit closer .and closes this contact on the fixed contact 78. At 79 is a latching relay having an armature 80 which normally engages one end of a contact lever 81 which is pivoted intermediate its ends. The other end of this contact lever is urged downward .by a spring 82 into engagement with a fixed contact 83.. From the contact 7 5projects an arm 84 having an insulating boss 85 thereon which, when the arm 75 is rocked, engages the lever 81, breaks the contact with contact 83, and permits the armature 80 to be pulled by spring 86 into latching position over the lever 81. At 87 is a relay magnet operating a pair of movable contact members 88 and 89. These contact members normally engage respectively on contacts 90 and 91 and are engageable respectively, upon energization of being brought into engagement with the fixed contact by energization of the magnet 94.

At 97 is a high resistance polarized relay of, say, two thousand ohms and this relay controls a movable contact 98 which normally engages a fixed contact 99 but which, upon energization of the relay, is brought into engagement with a fixed contact 100, being at the same time disengaged from contact 99. The telephone line wires 101 and 1.02 lead into the instrument through a switch 103 by means of which this instrument can be connected with or" cut out from the telephone line. The wire 101 is connected by a branch 104 with the contact 89. The wire 102 is connected through a condenser 105 with the contact 88 and from the fixed contact 90 a wire 106 leads to the winding of the relay 79, the other end of this winding being connected by a wire 107 through a condenser 108 to the contact 91. The wire 101 is also connected to the winding of the magnet 87 and the other end of th1s magnet winding is connected by a .wire 109 with the contact 78. From the contact 77 leads a wire 110 which branches from the wire 102 between the switch 103 and condenser 105. Also from this point leads a wire 111 which is connected to the winding of the magnet 94 and the other end of this wiring is connected by a wire 112 with the contact 93. From the wire 112 extends a branch 113 which leads through a condenser 114 to the winding of relay 97, the other end of this winding being connected by a wire 115 with the contact 92.

Besides the telephone line wires the device employs current for operating the motor and various solenoids and this current comes into the apparatus over the line wires 116 and 117. The line wire 116 leads to the motor 58 and from that motor a wire 118 leads to the con tact 81. From the contact 83 a wire 119 leads to the line wire 117. From the wire 116 a branch-120 leads to the contact 75 and from the contact 76 a wire 121 leads to the winding of the solenoid 70 from which a wire 122 leads to the wire 119 and thus back to the line wire 117. From the contact 95 a wire 123 leads to the winding of the solenoid 64 and the remaining end of that winding is connectedby a wire 124 to the wire 119 and thus to the line wire 117. From the contact 100 a wire 125 leads to the winding of the solenoid 30, the other end of this winding being connected by a wire 126 to the line wire 117 The contact 98 is connected by a branch wire 127 to the wire 120 and thus to the line wire 116. The line wire 117 is connected by a wire 128 to the Winding of the solenoid 36 and from the other end of that winding extends a wire 129 which leads to a fixed contact 130 in the path of the nut 59, the nut engaging a movable contact 131 and causing it to close on the contact 130. The contact 131 is connected by a wire 132 with the wire 120 and thus with the Wire 116.

In operation when the ringing circuit is closed current will flow from the wire 101 through wire 104, contact 89, contact 91, wire 107, bell relay 79, wire 106, contact 90, contact 88 to wire 102. This trips the armature 80 and contact 81 closes on contact 83. Current now flows from line wire 116 through motor 58, wire 118, contact 81, contact 83, wire 119, back to line wire 117 The motor now operates and the screw acts to move nut 66 along until the contact 77 is closed on the contact 78 whereupon current will flow from the telephone line 101 through magnet 87, wire 109, contact 78, contact 77, wire 110, to wire 102. This energizes the magnet 87 and contacts 88 and 89 break at 90 and 91 and close on 92 and 93. Thereupon current will flow from wire 101 through wire 104, contact 89, contact 93, wire 112, magnet 94, and wire 111 to wire 102. Thus magnet 94 will be energized and contact 95 will close on contact 96. At the same time a shunt current will be formed from wire 112, through wire 113, relay 97, wire 115, contact 92, contact 88. to wire 102. Thereupon relay 97 being energized, opens the contact at 99 and closes the contact at 100. Now, it is to be noted that by reason of the interposition of the condensers 114 and 105 the action of the relay 97 is retarded so that prior to the current being broken between 99 and 98 there will be a flow of current from the line wire 116 through wire 120, wire 127, contact 98, contact 99, wire 133, contact 96, contact 95, wire 123, solenoid 64, wire 124, Wire 119 to line wire 117. This energizes the solenoid 64 and the nut 59 is engaged on the screw 56 and moves to the right to first close contact 131 on contact 130 and then to close contact 75 on contact 76. Now when contact 98 closes on contact 100 the current will flow from the wire 116 through wire 120, wire 127, contact 98, contact 100, wire 125, solenoid 30, and wire 126 to wire 119. Now this takes place with each impulse that comes in, after the Qcontact 131 on contact 130 andthe current will flow from wire 116 through wire 120, wire 132, contact 131, contact 130, wire 129, solenoid 36, and wire 128 to wire 117 This will energize the solenoid 36 and actuate the hammer upon this energization. Upon the closing of contact 75 on contact 76 the circuit through contacts 81 .and 83 will be broken and solenoid 64 will be deenergized so that nut 59 will be freed from the screw and moved to the left opening the circuit through 36 and thus allowing the hammer to fall back which causes tripping of the latch pawl 34 so that the ratchet bar and type segment return to normal position when the nut 59 closes contact 75 on 76 the current will flow from 116 through the solenoid which will pull down the nut 66 and allow that nut to resume its usual position. At the same time the circuit will be broken at 83 and the motor will stop.

To briefly resume energization of relay 79 releases contact 81 which closes circuit through the motor 58 and drives the screw. Nut 66 moves to the right and closes contacts 77 and 78 thereby closing circuit through the magnet 87. The energization of magnet 87 switches the telephone lines from the windings of relay 79 to the windings of relay 97 and closes a circuit through relay 94. Operation of relay 94 closes the power circuit through the windings of solenoid 64 which brings the nut 59 into engagement with the screw 56. Movement of the nut closes the circuit between contacts 131 and 130momentarily in passing and this actuates solenoid 36 which rotates the drum one space, the type being out of position to be struck. At the cessation of the ringing signal the calling party dials his telephone number thus causing relay 97 to be energized and de-energized in accordance with the number called. Each time the relay 97 is energized circuit is broken through solenoid 64 and closed through solenoid 30 to step up the type segment. At the cessation of the current interruption of the first digits of the calling partys number relay 97 ceases to vibrate and current is again closed through 64 long enough to close a circuit through 131 and 130 and actuate the hammer.

Each digit being dialed operates in the same manner but at the end the contacts and 76 are closed which closes the circuit through solenoid 70 and frees the nut 66 to return to normal position thereby opening contacts 77 and 78 restoring relay magnets 87 and 94 to de-energized position and leavin the parts ready for the dialing of another call:

There has thus been provided a simple and eflicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified. a

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism, an electric power line, a telephone line, electro-magnetic means for actuating the printing mechanism, con-ductive connections between said means and the power lines and including normally open circuit closures, and other electro-magnetic means in electrical connection with the telephone line and arranged to eflect closing of said circuit closers.

2. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a movable type segment, a platen past which said segment moves to bring a selected type into printing position, and a hammer for striking the positioned type; electro-magnetic means for moving said segment, a second electromagnetic means for actuating said hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the respective means and power line each including a normally open circuit closer, circuit closer operating means for primarily closing the circuit closer of the segment moving means and then closing the circuit through the hammer actuating means, a telephone line, and electro-magnetic means connected to the telephone line and controlling the circuit closer operating means.

3. In a, device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a movable type segment, a platen past which said segment moves to bringa selected type into printing relation to said platen, and a hammer for striking the positioned type; electromagnetically operated step by step means for moving said segment, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating said ham-, mer, a power line, circuit connections between the respective means and power line each including a normally open circuit closer, circuit closer operating means for primarily closing the circuit closer of the segment moving. means and then closing the circuit through the hammer actuating means, a telephone line. and electro-magnetic means connected to the telephone line and controlling the circuit closer operating means. 4. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a movable type segment, a ratchet bar, an operative connection between said bar and segment, an actuating pawl engageable with the ratchet bar to impart movement thereto, a latching pawl normally engaging the bar, a platen past which said segment moves to bring the type into printing position successively, a hammer for striking the positioned type, electro-magnetic operated means for moving the actuating pawl, a second electro-magnetic operated means for actuating said hammer upon energization and arranged to engage the latching pawl and move it to release the bar upon deenergization, a power line, circuit connections between the respective means and power line each including a normally open circuit closer, circuit closer operating means for primarily closing the circuit closer of the segment moving means and then closing the circuit through the hammer actuating means, a telephone line, and electro-magnetic means connected to the telephone line and controlling the circuit closer operating means.

5. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a type positioning device and a type hammer for striking the positioned type, electro-magnetic means for actuating the type positioning device, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the power line and type positioning electro-magnetic means and including a normally open circuit closer, circuit connections between the power line and the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means including a normally open circuit closer, a telephone line, a relay magnet for closing the circuit closer of the type positioning electromagnetic means, said relay magnet being actuated by impulses from the telephone line, and motor actuated means for closing the circuit through the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means.

6. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a type positioning device and a type hammer for striking the positioned type, electro-magnetic means for actuating the type positioning device, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the power line and type positioning electro-magnetic means and including a normally open circuit closer, circuit connections between the power line and the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means including a normally open circuit closer, a telephone line, a relay magnet for closing the circuit closer of the type positioning electro-magnctic means, said relay magnet being actuated by impulses froin the telephone line, mechanical means for closing the circuit through the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means, a motor for actuating said mechanical means and having circuit connections with said power line including a normally open circuit the circuit closer of the motor circuit.

7. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a type positioning device and a type hammer for striking the positioned type, electro-magnetic means for actuating the type positioning device, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the power line and type positioning electro-magnetic, means and including a normally open circuit closer, circuit connections between the power line and the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means including a normally open circuit" closer, a telephone line, a relay magnet for closing the circuit closer of the type positioning electro-magnetic means, said relay magnet being actuated by impulses from the telephone line, mechanical means for closing the circuit through the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means, a motor for actuating said mechanical means and having circuit connections with said power line including a normally open circuit closer, a latching relay connected to the telephone line, and a trip actuated by said latching relay and normally holding the motor circuit closer open.

8. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a type positioning device and a type hammer for striking the positioned type, electro-magnetic means for actuating the type positioning device, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the power line and type positioning electro-magnetic means and including a normally open circuit closer, circuit connect-ions between the power line and the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means including a normally open circuit closer, a telephone line, a relay magnet for closing the circuit closer of the type positioning electromagnetic means, said relay magnet being actuated by impulses from the telephone line, mechanical means for closing the circuit through the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means, a motor for actuating said mechanical means and having circuit connections with said power line including a normally open circuit closer, a latching relay connected to the telephone line, a trip actuated by said latching relay and normally holding the motor circuit closer open, and a third relay having circuit connections with the telephone line including a normally open circuit closer, said third relay being arranged upon energization to open the circuit through the latching relay and close the circuit through the first relay, said mechanical means being arranged to engage'and close the third relay circuit closer.

9. In a device of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a type positioning device and a type hammer for striking the positioned type, electro-magnetic means for actuating the type positioning de vice, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the power line and type positioning electro-magnetic means and including a normally open circuit closer, circuit connections between the power line and the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means including a normally open circuit closer, a telephone line, a relay magnet for closing the circuit closer of the type positioning electro-magnetic means, said relay magnet being actuated by impulses from the telephone line, mechanical means for closing the circuit through the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means, a motor for actuating said mechanical means and having circuit connections with said power line including a normally open circuit closer, a latching relay connected to the telephone line, a trip actuated by said latching relay and normally holding the motor circuit closer open, a third relay having circuit connections with the telephone line including a normally open circuit closer, said third relay being arranged upon energization to open the circuit through the latching relay and close the circuit through the first relay, said mechanical means being arranged to engage and close the third relay circuit closer, and a fourth relay in open circuit with the telephone line and havingits circuit closed by the energization of the third relay.

10. In adevice of the kind described, a printing mechanism including a type positioning device and a type hammer for strik ing the positioned type, electro-magnetic means for actuating the type positioning de 105 vice, a second electro-magnetic means for actuating the hammer, a power line, circuit connections between the power line and type positioning electro-magnetic means and including a normally open circuit closer, cir- 110 cuit connections between the power line and the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means including a normally open circuit closer, a telephone line, a relay magnet for closing the circuit closer of the type position- 115 ing electro-magnetic means, said relay magnet being actuated by impulses from the telephone line, mechanical means for closing the circuit through the hammer actuating electro-magnetic means, a motor for actuating 120 said mechanical means and having circuit connections with said power line including a normally open circuit closer, a latching relay connected to the telephone line, a trip actuated by said latching relay and normally 125 holding the motor circuit closer open, a third relay having circuit connections with the telephone line including a normally open circuit closer, said third relay being arranged upon energization to open the circuit through 130 the latching relay and close the circuit through the first relay, said mechanical means being arranged to engage and close the third relay circuit closer, a fourth relay in open circuit with the telephone line and having its circuit closed by the energization of the third relay, means for restoring the mechanical circuit closing means to normal position, electro-magnetic means for controlling the action of said restoring means and in- 10 eluding a circuit closer arranged to be closed by the mechanical means, and means actuated by said mechanical means for opening the motor circuit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. 15

JAMES E. ARMSTRONG. 

